Sounders Women hire Carnell as General Manager

Amy Carnell, the Sounders FC Director of Youth Programs since 2008, has helped build the largest youth camp system in Major League Soccer.

RENTON, Wash. – The Seattle Sounders Women have named Amy Carnell as the team’s general manager, it was announced today.

Carnell, the Sounders FC Director of Youth Programs since 2008, has helped build the largest youth camp system in Major League Soccer with over 6,000 campers in 2011.

“We are extremely excited to have Amy as our new general manager,” said Lane Smith, owner of the Sounders Women. “Amy represents a perfect match of both business skills and a true ambassador of women's soccer. Her great success and continued role as Sounders FC Director of Youth Programs speaks to her business acumen.”

An All-American and Southern Conference Player of the Year at UNC-Greensboro, Carnell played for the Sounders Women from 2002-06.

“I’ve been fortunate to work for a first class organization that continues to set the bar for Soccer in America,” said Carnell. “To walk the halls with Adrian Hanauer and the brilliant staff who make up Sounders FC is a truly unique experience. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring that same passion and excellence to the women’s game.”

The Seattle Sounders Women was founded in 2001 and is now competing in their 12th season. The team made the USL W-League Semifinals five times in the past eight years (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011). The Sounders Women consists of elite level collegiate players and graduates from around the nation. Past players include former US Women’s National Team, WUSA and WPS talent Michelle French, Tina Ellertson, Justi Baumgardt-Yamada, Lisa Sari, Cori Alexander and Lyndsey Patterson.

“Amy has a refreshed optimism of the USL W-League and its future,” said co-owner Mike Jennings. “I was excited to hear that she wants to knock off the Vancouver Whitecaps women as the number one attended USL W-League team for the 2012 season.”

Although the Sounders FC does not have any direct relationship or ownership with the Sounders Women, Sounders FC will continue to help promote the W-League by providing promotional messaging on stadium video boards and during radio and television broadcasts.

The W-League consists of 30 teams nationally. Seattle competes in the Western Conference against teams from Canada, California, and Colorado.

Sounders Women will open the 2012 campaign at home vs. the Colorado Rush at 1pm May 20th at Starfire Sports Complex. For up to date ticket information visit www.SoundersWomen.com.